A resident protects his property on the NSW South Coast during the bushfires of Black Summer. One thing that became clear to me in the aftermath of the Black Summer fires was a renewed sense of purpose and pride in my industry. While the media is often the target of criticism, the Black Summer fires were a clear example of the important role we play. But what hasn't changed is the fact that people are the heartbeat of any local community. The stories of the Black Summer fires are just one example.